Skylight construction



Aug. 5;, I F G1 EHAU 2,425,060

SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 4, 1945 2 Sheets-$heet 1 iriamr' Patented Aug. 5, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SKYLIGHT CONSTRUCTION Richard F. Gildehaus, Dallas, Tex.

Application September 4, 1945, Serial No. 614,301

'7 Claims. (Cl. 10816) This invention relates to skylights and more particularly to skylights of the type which requires no putty to insure adequate seal against infiltration of moisture.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a skylight channel frame provided with openings for draining off water of condensation and seepage and which is suitably equipped to support a plurality of clamps of novel construction, adapted to bear upon a glass plate inwardly of its'perimeter with equal and uniform pressure to hold the same against displacement yet not without regard for normal expansion and contraction.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a skylight frame intercrossing members within the confines of the frame effective to support the central portion of a single glass plate whose edges overreach the supporting frame but which are out of contiguity with the retaining clamps.

Still another object of the invention is to provide cushioning means for the glass plate, both on the frame and on said intermediate support, the former being so disposed that it will be effective to intercept water tending to collect on the undersurface of the plate and transfer the same into the frame channel for disposal through the latters drainage openings.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a protective subframe and screen, the former being supported above but out of contiguity of theglass by means of a novel form of bracket constructed for interchangeability with respect to flat and inclined skylights.

Other objects and advantages will become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is a detail view of one of the glass retaining clamps, showing the skylight frame and glass fragmentarily in vertical section.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of one of the clamps per se.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing the skylight assembly mounted on a frame roof but from which the glas retaining clamps have been deleted.

Figure 4 is a detail view of one of the brackets supporting the protective sub-frame, and screen showing the main frame and glass plate fragmentarily.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of 'the skylight, from which the clamps, sub-frame Figure 7 is a rear elevational view thereof.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail view of the glass supporting rail assembly, showing the bed:

ding retaining channels therein.

Figure 9 is a detail view of a form of cover for the bolt heads, such as shown in. Figure 1 in the skylight well.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in vertical section showing the junction between sections of a continuous skylight.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view showing a skylight of continuous slope embodying the elements of the invention, and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in vertical'section showing a hip skylight whose construction is a substantial duplicate of that shown in Figure 11.

' Continuing more in detail with the drawings, reference is primarily made to Figure 1 wherein numeral l0 denotes fragmentarily a roof slab of conventional construction, whose interior surface is coated with plaster II as a finish for the room ceiling and for the skylight well.

The elements of the invention include primarily a welded frame l2, constructed from channel iron, whose inner flanges are made flush with the walls of the skylight well, as shown. It is obvious that any form of means may be employed for anchoring the frame It! to the roof structure, depending upon the architecture thereof but in the present case. an angle I3 is welded to the underside of the channel frame 12, which may be continuous or in sections, as desired. This angle is embedded in the grouting of the roof slab l0 and in this manner, provides adequate anchorage for the frame I 2. The roof may be surfaced in any conventional manner as at M and sealed according to known methods at a.

At equi-distantly spaced points throughout the sides of the frame l2, the flanges thereof are provided with aligned aperture to permit bolts I5 to be passed entirely through the flanges to secure glass retaining clamps l6 in position on the frame in the manner shown in Figure 1 and to which further reference will be made presently.

It is to be understood that instead of several small panes of glas puttied in a multiplicity of individual frames, the present invention anticipates a single glass plate I! which requires no putty or other plastic medium to insure against leakage of wind or moisture. Instead, the dimensions of the glass plate I! are greater than those of the channel frame l2 so that the edges of the plate will extend slightly beyond the outer flange of the channel. As a cushioning means for the glass H, a strip of felt H! or equivalent material, arcuated along its major axis is disposed along the edge of the outer flange of the channel 12 and on which the glass 11 bears. This, of course, elevates the glass above the inner flange of the channel, to compensate for which, bedding material i9 is disposed in longitudinal grooves b in the upper edges of intercrossing bars or rails 25, forming the central support for the glass intermediate the side and ends of the frame 12. The space between the glass and the inner flange of the channel provides means for ventilation, the air finally passing out of the drainage openings in the outer flange of the channel.

Referring again to the glass clamps i5,it will be observed that these elements, in addition to.

having slots 2! to receive bolts l5, by which they are secured to the outer flanges of the frame 12,-

they are equipped with wings or extensions 22 also slotted at 23 to receive capscrews, not shown. The holdedown clamps [6 are arranged relation to the outer channel flange and glass I] in the manner shown in Figure 1 with its right angular head 24 overlying the perimeter of the glass plate I l. The head is formed with a cavity which contains a pad 25 providing a cushion between e 4 a d g a lt is of course necessary, in installing the glass I! to insure against unequal application of retaining pressure imposed by the holddown clamps 4 are secured to the outer flange of the channel frame [2 at spaced points intermediate the holddown clamps l6. As apparent in Figure 4, each bracket has an overhang 35, against which a flange of the guard angle 31 bears and is held thereto by a bolt 36, entering a threaded opening 31 in the portion 35 of the bracket. Each of these brackets has a recess 38 in its face next adjacent the edge of glass ll whose purpose will be presently explained.

In Figure 3, the skylight structure just described is shown except for th clamps 8, brack- 1-6. To accomplish this, cap screws, not shown,

but previously mentioned, are inserted in the slots 3 he ng of e clam i a d t es enter tapped and threaded holes the outer flange f cha ne 42 on ch s de o h aperture ceiving the main retaining bolt (*5. The cap aarc hol t e lam for m or v r calan cil ati e moveme s o the l mp, p re-Perv t fi al ecu e t t e eo b t m b 15 a ter ad u men of ll of he c am s as bee fi ts ubseq en o final acra nt of e clamps, both the bolt I5 and the said cap screws serve to hold the clamps in place. The extendinc ribs on the .h m cw c ps 5 o ly s round the head of bolt 15, restricting access to it and preventing it from being turned.

It will be noted that after having secured the clamps, an expansion space 25 is provided inter mediate'the edges of the glass 17 and the con?- ironting edges of the clamps it. Moreover, after the bolts l5 are in position, a coniform gasket 22 of soft metal .is placed over. the .threaded end thereof to lie in af conforming recess made in the inner flange of the channel12, which is held in place by a nut 28. This seals the bolt and open ing in the inner, flange of the channel to prevent seepage into the skylight well ofany moisture which may fall or flow on the bolt.

The nut 28, being visible in the skylight well,

is preferably concealed by a finish cover 2 9, shown only in Figure 9. This cover is held in position by a friction washer 3.0 and while the cover may be conveniently removed to gain access to the nut 28, it is firmly held in place by the washer and presents a finished appearance from the inside of the skylight frame.

In order to protect the surface and edges of the glass l1 against collision, chipping or breakage by hail, rocks or other missiles thrown on a reef a o ective f ame w s r i r v de which consists of an angle iron uard 3 (Fi ure 4) supported in spaced relation to the edges of the glass I] by means of aplurality of brackets 32. These brackets are castto define flanges 33,

apertured at c to receive bolts '34 by which they the manner of mounting the. skylight on a frame roof 39. The roof consists of the conventional joists 40, headers 4|, lath and plaster covering 42, stud and plates d3 and 44 respectively which support the outer wall or curb of the skylight well. In this mode of mounting the skylight, the channelframe I2 is anchored by means of bolts 45, the heads of which are welded or otherwise aflixed to the underside of the channel 12 and which extend through holes previously bored through the upper of the plates 5.4. A nut 65 secures the bolt against displacement.

The roof covering i? is applied in the usual manner, with a flashing rail 58 retaining a flashing strip 49 in overlapping relationship with the elevated edge of the roof covering 41, which lies flush against the skylight curbing. Caulking material 50 is applied intermediate the skylight frame l2 and the flashing 43.

In Figure 10 is shown substantially the same construction described in the foregoing when employed to construct a continuous skylight, In this form, the supporting roof truss 5| has bolted thereto a double angle 52, to each end of the cross-member defined thereby is bolted a plate 53 which serves as a support for the channel frame (2 of the skylight through the medium of an angle bracket 5i, secured to and depending from the said frame 32 and boltedtc th Plate 53.

i is e be und st at Fi u e 0 sh ut half of the complete structure but the remaining Perticn e d h n er line s nt ca A wood strip 55 is amxed to the angle 58 of the plate '53 and to this strip is secured by means of screws 51 a sheet metal covering 58 for the gutter formed between the skylight sections. The edges 59 of the metal covering is bent downwardly over the screws 57 toprevent infiltration of 111015- ture through the screw holes, although the gutter is kept reasonably free of moisture by virtue of a sheet metal sheathing 60 extending the width and length of the gutter.

The sheathing 50 has its edges bent downwardly and outward y at El to overlie and retain a water-proofing strip .62 bearing against the glass plate II. This strip is further held against displacement by a series of 8 clips 63 which are fastened to one edge of the strip and overhang the edges of the glass H, as shown.

In Figure 11 is shown a-sloping skylight .construction and while the basic assembly remains unchanged, certain variations in the supporting structure are necessary. In order-to compensate for the difference in elevation of the walls E l, defining the skylight well, it is necessary to build up the undersurface of the upper and lower chanl are embedded in the grout of the walls.

.Of course, in the case of a frame roof, appropriate modification of the anchoring means will be made.

As in the assembly shown in Figure and previously described, a wood strip 55-is secured to the spacers "56 by means of bolts '68 and a flashing strip 69 is afixed to the wood strip by screws iii and its edge llis bent downwardly to cover the screws. Sheet metal sheathing .12 is formed to overlie the guard angle 3! and has its upper edge bent downwardly against the weather stripping 62 while its lower edge is; bent to bear against the flashing 69 along the outer edge of the highest wall 64.

Referring again to the guard angle brackets 32 and the recess 38 therein previously mentioned, it will be observed in Figure 11 that a pad 73 is arranged in each of the recesses of the brackets 32 along the lower edge of the skylight. These pads are for the obvious purpose of providing a bearing or abutment for the lower edge of the glass plate to prevent its displacement by gravity. The pad is omitted when this condition is not present, such as in the case of the horizontal skylight shown in Figure 1.

Figure 12 illustrates the same general skylight construction shown in Figure 11 and just described except for the fact that a hip skylight is provided. The supporting structure is that of a frame roof, the supporting roof truss being suggested at 14. The gutter is defined by a wood plate 75, supported by angles 76 from the roof truss. A sheet metal covering 71 overlies the plate 15 and its ends are turned upwardly against wood strips 18 lining the sides of the gutter and as before, the edges of the covering H are turned downwardly over the screws 19 which secure them to the strip 18, to exclude moisture. Mastic cement 80 serves to seal the joint between the skylight frame l2 and the metal covering 11. A ridgerail or capping 8! covers the gutter between the skylights from end to end.

In all of the applications of th'e principle shown, the channel frame 12 is effectively drained of moisture, whether from' rain or the results of condensation, by means of spaced drainage openings 82, drilled downwardly through the outer flange of the channel l2 at an angle. Such moisture as may tend to collect in the channels or which may seep thereinto through the cushion I8 will find exit through these openings, thus insuring a dry condition of the channel at all times. It is obvious from the drawings and description that the skylight may be arranged in panels to practically cover an entire structure, doing away with substantially all other kind of roofing.

Manifestly, the construction as shown and described is capable of some modification and such modification as may be construed to fall within the scope and meaning of the appended claims is also considered to be within the spirit and intent of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a skylight construction, a channel frame embracing th perimeter of the well of said skylight defining a gutter and having. means for evacuating condensed moisture onto a roof surrounding said skylight, a glass plate overlying said channel frame whose edges 'overreach the outer flanges of said channel, hold-down clamps adjustably secured to said flanges, adapted to overreach said glass edges and bear upon the surface of said glass, a protective frame encompassing said glass edges out of contiguity therewith,

drainage openingsfor evacuating moisture exteriorly of said well, cushioning means supported by th'e outer flange of said channel frame,.a glass plate disposed on said cushion whose perimeter extends beyond that of said frame andfrom which moisture is collected and transferred by said cushioning means into said gutter for evacuation through said drainage openings, a. plurality of clamps adjustably mounted on the outer flanges of said frame, a portion of each overlying and bearing upon said glass plate inwardly of its perimeter, a plurality of brackets also mounted on the outer'fiange of said frame and extending above said clamp, an angle iron protective frame carried by said brackets to overlie the perimeter of said glass plate and means within the confines of said channel frame for supporting the central area of said glass plate.

3. A roof skylight including a channel frame defining a gutter embracing the well of said skylight having moisture drainage means adjacent its outer flange intercrossing rails within the confines of said frame, cushioning means along the top of said rails and the outer flange of said channel frame, a single glass plate supported on said cushioning means, whose edges extend beyond said outer flange and from whose edges moisture is collected and transferred by said cushioning means into said gutter, clamps carried adjustably by said outer flange adapted to bear upon the surface of said glass plate inwardly of the perimeter thereof, a protective angle frame embracing the perimeter of said glass plate but out of contiguity thereof and foraminous means supported by said protective frame and overlying the entire area of said glass plate.

4. A, roof and skylight including a channel frame defining a gutter surrounding the perimeter of the well of said skylight and having moisture disposal means, a single glass plate supported on said frame whose perimeter is greater than that of said frame, means within the con-' fines of and rigid with said frame for supporting the intermediate area of said glass plate, cushioning means interposed between said glass and its supporting means and adapted to convey into said gutter moisture collecting on the edges of said glass plate means adjustably carried by said frame and bearing upon said glass within its perimeter, means also carried by said frame and supporting a protective frame above the perimeter of said glass and means secured interiorly of said frame for holding said adjustable means in relation to said frame.

5. A roof section and skylight including a channel frame defining a gutter ebracing the roof opening having drainage apertures, a single glass plate supported on said frame whose area is greater than the overall area of said frame to overreach the sides thereof, offset clamps mounted on said frame and bearing upon said glass plate inwardly of its perimeter, means for securing said clamp mounting means interiorly of said frame, means within th confines of said frame for supporting the central area of said glass plate, cush- 7 ionlng means between said glass and its support and capable of transferring into said gutter moisture from the edges of said glass plate and means also mounted on said frame for protecting the edges and central area of said glass plate.

6. In a roof and skylight construction, a frame defining a gutter embracing the roof openingand supported on the roof fabrication, intercrossing members within the confines of said frame, a glass plate of greater length and breadth than said roof opening supported by said frame and intercrossing members, Whose edges extend beyond said frame, cushioning means between said glass and its support, means exteriorly of said frame and secured interiorly thereof adapted to bear upon said glass plate within its perimeter, means em.- bracing the perimeter of said glass plate carrying foraminous means to protect said. plate against damage by missiles.

'7. A structure of the character described comprising a channel frame defining a gutter having moisture drainage means about its outer edge and adapted to embrace the perimeter of a roof opening, a glass plate supported by said frame REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date- 1,538,811? James May 19,1925 1,236,008 Rysdon Aug, '7, 1917 1,211,053 Bernard Jan. 2, 1917 1,899,912 Masters Feb. 28, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 506,939 Great Britain 1939 

